The Director of Public Persecutions (DPP) has ordered the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to conclude the investigation on the murder of a 29-year-old Rex Kanyike Masai within 21 days.
Rex was allegedly shot and killed by police during the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations held on Thursday in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
“Consequently, pursuant to the provisions of Article 157(4) of the Constitution, the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed the Independ Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to carry out thorough and comprehensive investigations into the matter,” stated the ODPP.
“Thereafter, the resultant inquiry file together with the report should be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) not later than twenty-one (21) days from the date hereof.”
IPOA has in response announced the start of the investigations into the shooting of Rex.
The Authority’s Chairperson Anne Makori in a statement said the state agency had been monitoring police conduct since the onset of the protests on Tuesday.
“The Authority commends the protesters for holding peaceful demonstrations while unarmed and equally commend the National Police Service’s visible restraint unlike in previous demonstrations,” she stated.
“However, the Authority has documented the death of Mr. Rex Masai allegedly as a result of police shooting and several serious injuries suffered by other demonstrators including police officers.”
Masai was heading home at around 7 pm in the company of a friend when he was shot in the knee outside the Hilton Hotel along Moi Avenue by aa rogue cop using live bullet.
He passed away from excessive bleeding.
